Ledger family distances itself from biography claims

Bipolar claims: Heath Ledger is described in the book as experiencing extreme highs and lows.

Eric Thay: Reuters

Heath Ledger's family has attacked a new book that suggests the late actor was suffering from bipolar disorder in the time leading up to his death.

Ledger, 28, was found dead in his New York apartment in January. An autopsy later concluded the cause was an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

Journalist Janet Fife-Yeomans's book, Heath: A Family's Tale, reveals Ledger's uncle Haydn suffers from the condition, and suggests it may run in the family.

The Ledger family today released a statement saying that claims in the book are based on unsubstantiated information.

"The book contains gross inaccuracies, false allegations and many incorrect and unsubstantiated comments about Heath in his youth, provided by estranged family members and some people who had little to do with Heath's life," the statement said.

"Further, Fife-Yeomans has no right to infer that we in any way authorised this book."

"We have never contributed to or authorised any publications about our son."

Fife-Yeomans has responded by saying "I stick by everything that I wrote in the book, and I never said it was an authorised biography."

Despite the book's damning claims, his former fiance Michelle Williams, Ledger's father Kim, mother Sally and sister Kate were not willing to be interviewed by Fife-Yeomans.